GAMENIGHT

San Antonio Spurs (39-12) @ Brooklyn Nets (29-21)

Barclays Center 8:00

TV: YES/ESPN – RADIO: WFAN 660 AM/101.9 FM

The Brooklyn Nets are coming off a “horrible” road loss to the resurgent Washington Wizards 89-74 on Friday night and the game was not even as close as the score tells. The Nets were woeful in transition and once again lacked the intestinal fortitude to fight through poor shooting and buckle down to play better defense. Pinch me if you have heard this before with this Brooklyn team. Here comes the San Antonio Spurs to town.

The Wizards are now 9-7 overall since Wall’s return and have beaten teams like the Nets, New York Knicks, Miami Heat and the LA Clippers so the win is not a total shock although the Nets knew what they were facing and didn’t match the challenge at all.

[quote_box]PJ – “When you can’t make free throws, when you can’t make 3-point shots, and you can’t make shots in the paint, it’s very hard to win. To come with that kind of effort in the second quarter, it’s inexcusable.”[/quote_box]

The Spurs are on a roll as they always seem to be and playing very well even with the snowstorm that hit the East Coast that forced them to spend an extra day in Detroit after their first loss in 12 games 119-109. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili will not play in tonight’s matchup but as their last win streak states, they can win without their Big 3 and demolish teams in the process. Tony Parker is a one man fast break and will have to carry the Spurs in Brooklyn.

Danny Green, Kwahi Leonard and the rest if the Spurs supporting cast continues to play well for one the best coaches in the NBA in Greg Popovich, the wins keep coming. If Brooklyn does not bring it’s A-game tonight it may be another game like New Years Eve when the Spurs routed the Nets 104-73. (remember the 5 point third quarter)

MATCHUP OF THE GAME: Deron Williams vs Tony Parker

Deron Williams has not shot well in the past five games with 13.4 points on 37.5 percent shooting and a horrid 4.2 turnovers. The lack of intensity and passion seems to be showing with his play and he needs to step up and provide that missing passion for the Nets to have a chance tonight. Parker having another All-Star season averaging 20 points per game along with eight assists and three rebounds a game for the mighty Spurs. Parker has always given DWill a problem with his speed and craftiness so a big game is needed from Williams to give the Nets a chance to upset the visiting Spurs.

STAT FOR TONIGHT: The Nets have lost an incredible 17 out of the last 18 games to the Spurs in the last 10 seasons.

Nets:

CJ Watson (undisclosed illness) is a game-time decision

Jerry Stackhouse (stiff neck) is probable

Spurs:

Tim Duncan (sore left knee) is doubtful

Manu Ginobili (left hamstring) is doubtful